Cardinals-Royals I-70 Rivalry Open Thread

by royalsreview on May 22, 2009 2:00 PM EDT in News Comment 82 comments

I'm on the road right now and the big Royals-Cardinals rivalry post I wanted to write in honor of this weekend's series never materialized. Blogger fail.

A few years back, I wrote a longish post on the rivalry called 8.5 Angles to the I-70 Series. Then last year, I reposted it, and the comments picked right back up. If you're new to the site, I really recommend checking out the comments, if nothing else, there's some classic cultural/sociopolitical stuff there. The KC-STL thing... well, as something of an outsider, I don't quite get it, but clearly, there's something there. No matter how much the Cardinals say it isn't a rivalry.

So what has me thinking today is how the I-70 Rivalry might be different now that the Royals are better. I ask because, now that the games matter, I find myself riding much stronger emotions with each game and less able to stomach some of the stupid things about the franchise that I previously loved.

What is the state of the rivalry these days? Does the seeming improvement of the Royals diminish the anti-Cardinals thing or make it more important? For the first time since 2003, the Royals aren't just playing spoiler in this series, they've got their own playoff hopes at stake. Does that make the rivalry aspect less important?

Finally, what part of battleground Missouri do you want first: the contested mid-Missouri area (Jeff City, Columbia) or the southwest, the I-44 corridor (Springfield & Joplin)? Or, do you want the bootheel?

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I find myself riding much stronger emotions with each game and less able to stomach some of the stupid things about the franchise that I previously loved.

Couldn’t agree more. I’m goin to a Omaha Royals game tonight just so I can relax and not get so wound up about the game.

I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.

by kcscoliny on May 22, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Reporting from the contested mid-mo area

In any other season, I would be FURIOUS that Meche and Greinke were both missing this series. Not so this season, because we are in the division race, and Meche & Greinke are lined up to face Detroit on Monday & Tuesday, which is far more impactful to our division chances. Don’t get me wrong, it is still very important to do well against the Cards – but (I can’t believe I’m typing this!) it’s more important to beat Detroit in the next series.

Good news for us – both Carpenter and Wainwright are missing the series for STL (possibly because the Cards just finished playing a big division rival themselves), so it really is a fair pitching matchup, with the #3 thru #5 SPs going for both teams.

Mr Glass, this is a pro sports team, not a retail store - run it like one!

by loyal2sdad on May 22, 2009 2:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

TRAITOR!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 22, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

MY EYES

they burn!!!

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on May 22, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does not compute

I think you just blew my mind

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on May 22, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Favorite stop along I-70?

Hard to top Rochesport.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 22, 2009 2:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

PETRO! Uhhh the west one, with a movie theater, that to the best of our knowlege is not 'adult'

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on May 22, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

kingdom city

that’s where my sister wound up when she ran away from home. as a result, i’ve stopped there every time i’ve passed it.

by 9il on May 22, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

With both teams fighting for a position in their respective league

It means that much more that we crush these red birds!!!!!

Hey St. Louis Your BBQ sucks!

Favorite stop other than Columbia along I-70= Herman. Wine for the ladies and the Brewery for the guys or visa verse I don’t want to offend.

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on May 22, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tis a sore spot with me

That our newly taxpayer subsidized entertainment district, the P&L, prominently features a “Famous Dave’s”, a Minnesota BBQ chain that features “St. Louis-style ribs.” Its like selling “Kansas City-style clam chowder” at Fenway Park!!!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 22, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

Agreed

What a grievous affront to all that is sacred in KC!!! A pox on you Famous Dave’s!!!

Bring in BB Lawnside! Though the baby backs are a bit too fatty, you can’t argue the total experience.

I am shocked and appalled, and obviously so freaken pissed I am trying to find words to describe it.

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on May 22, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Recommended for the BB's shout out

Mr Glass, this is a pro sports team, not a retail store - run it like one!

by loyal2sdad on May 22, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BB's all the way

unless it’s my own home made

Famous Dave can pucker up and throw a Louisiana Lip Lock on my Kansas City Smokin’ Mojo Butt Cheek

Yeah? From what I hear, you couldn't hit water if you fell out of a f@#%ing boat.

by BillyMojo on May 22, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Homemade IS the only way to go (in KC)

Absolutely agree, only homemade with the ‘secret’ process is the best kind of KC BBQ, however when I am out running around KC

I always need to get a full rack at BBs, not that upp-idy stuff from Jack Stack, though it is good. It insists upon itself.

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on May 22, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I won't go to Famous Dave's out of principle

Now if I was in Minneapolis or something I might, but not in KC. Why choose to eat inferior barbecue when you are in a barbecue mecca.

by Olentangy on May 22, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WTF are "St. Louis-style" ribs

we spent four years in that god forsaken pittsburgh of the midwest. Not only did we never encounter any bbq-style to be used adjectively, we never saw a single bbq restaurant.

‘Youwa pick it up attan ’talian ristrant eff farty faor and douse it witha gold tops and serve it witha t-ravs.’

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on May 22, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wannabes!

Kinda like how there is a “St. Louis style pizza” which I’m pretty sure is just tossing spagettios on top of flatbread. They are KC wannabes and Chicago wannabes!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 22, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Middle-child syndrome

They constantly feel inadequate compared to Chicago and have to compensate by acting like KC is irrelevant. They also like to act like Memphis is within their city limits and rave about beale street. Sweet, we just drove four hours for KC’s Westport on steriods, super.

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on May 22, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

St.L style ribs

It just tends to be ribs, and not any other cut of meat which in and of itself is kinda strange, but so are t-ravs. (they aren’t all that good)

I sorta classify StL style ribs, as ribs that don’t have a real smoke line, do not have a bark (probably boiled), and generally are so covered in some bland sauce that they are dripping.
So basically an kind of ribs that suck, I consider StL style, because if you were to feed them to a Cardinals fan, they would probably beg you for the recipe for ‘crap ribs’

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on May 22, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh so Chinese resturant 'spare ribs' but with Kraft BBQ sauce instead of day-glo red?

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on May 22, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exact-ree-y

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on May 22, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Interesting

IMO, if it ain’t Memphis ribs, its probably crap.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 22, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pappy's is actually a decent smokehouse

and the difference that an afficianado would point out

Sometimes StLouis BBQ simmers stuff in sauce after it’s cooked.

By my definition of KC BBQ that never happens.

Smokin’ Billy Mojo BBQ is thusly: meat enclosed in smoke box over which indirect heat passes (roughly keep the smoke box between 170 and 250 for several hours. (spare ribs, six-seven hours laying on the grill turning every hour. brisket, six-seven hours sitting in a pan on the grill never turning over, pork butt (actually its the butt end of the shoulder cut) that depends on the size of the butt, could take 12 hours.

After the meat is cooked it’s wrapped tightly in heavy duty tin foil and left in the oven another 12 hours at 200.

not simmered in sauce.

sometimes the ribs are served immediately. the brisket too.

The only difference might be that I rub stuff on the meat before but maybe they do that in STLouis style too.

Memphis style is just like KC Style only they serve em dry (no sauce on em) I jsut put my sauce on the side for dippin.

Yeah? From what I hear, you couldn't hit water if you fell out of a f@#%ing boat.

by BillyMojo on May 22, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

YEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!! Sauce on the 'effing side!!!

That seems like pretty damn good BBQ right there.
Damnit I wish I was in KC right now!!!

Yeah the simmering of the BBQ in sauce just pisses me off, it’s like you’re trying to hide a crappier quality of meat by infusion of sauce.

side note; I like Memphis style 2nd to KC. Though there I have heard the argument spin into a vortex of crazy, where in KC style is your above mentioned technique imployed to all sorts of cuts of meat pork, beef or other wise, while the heart of different ‘styles’ are different techniques of smoking/sauce/ presentation what have……it could go on for days.

Bottom line; StL style sucks, but Texas BBQ is worse. Hey here’s a good idea how about a giant amount of poorly flavored beef, great more for me to not enjoy!!!

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on May 22, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't insult Pittsburgh like that.

Seriously, it sucked back in the ’70’s but it is a pretty nice place nowdays.

by Olentangy on May 22, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate Wellemeyer

just the fact that he sucked so bad here and then went and was decent in STL last year really got to me, now he is coming back to earth and it’s glorious….also hate Jason Larue

by I need more Esteban on May 22, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

"hate" in sports terms

I don’t actually hate the person just them on the field

by I need more Esteban on May 22, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

just for old times' sake

if Buck hits a homer ina game he starts vs. the Cards, they should let LaRue pinch-hit for him next time he comes up

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on May 22, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Freaking LaRue

actually did damage against us last year with the bat. My God, did that make me mad!

Mr Glass, this is a pro sports team, not a retail store - run it like one!

by loyal2sdad on May 22, 2009 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Keeping Score

As you could probably guess from my moniker, this series is fraught with meaning for me. Two months and I’m out of this decaying city polluted with “Cards’” fans’ inflated sense of self-importance.

Since RR hit numerous nails on the head with his above-linked post, I’ll try to add something fresh we can pile on. Cardinals fans like to display their trueness to the national pastime by diligently keeping score.

Last year I went to an I-70 Series game in St. Louis and sat in the outfield bleachers (Royals won; Aviles homered(!)). Numerous people were keeping score which was mildly annoying. This alone I could get past. However, somewhere around the 5th inning, they started asking each other questions. “What did Ludwick do last inning?” “How did the runner get to second?” This bordered on very annoying.

I found this a complete verification of my hunch that the scorekeepers were keeping tabs simply to show that they were living up to the “Best Fan in Baseball” tag (prominently displayed in the stadium—how very subtle).

First, keeping score has lost nearly all purpose in a modern stadium with an expensive video scoreboard and all the information anyone could need displayed in numerous places. If you’d like to know how many outs there were when Duncan (who they booed throughout the game—Best Fans in Baseball?) struck out, please, just check the internet after the game.

Second, if you have to ask what happened last inning, YOU AREN’T REALLY KEEPING SCORE. I have to assume the only reason to keep score is to force you to pay attention to the game. Catching up on missed info does not serve this purpose. There isn’t a quiz after the game and you don’t have to turn your scoresheet into the teacher for homework points. You’re just proving the ridiculousness of being invested in your own superior fandom.

Silver lining: no one was asking questions when Soria mowed them down in the ninth.

by stuckinstl12 on May 22, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

I would've been tempted...

at that point, to ask (out loud) – “Does anyone know the scorekeeping code for ‘mexicuted’?” BTW, for those who do keep score, I’d go with “MXQT” in the scorebook.

Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals! Except the weasel! - Homer Simpson

by aHorseWithNoName on May 22, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

When they ask what happened

I would say “Jorge Orta was safe on an infield single.”

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

Rec'd

for making me laugh out loud at work!

Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals! Except the weasel! - Homer Simpson

by aHorseWithNoName on May 22, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Although that response is very likely to...

lead to fisticuffs in the stands, I must wholeheartedly endorse it.

"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae

"I was doing this when BJ was in his father's nutsack." -Renzo Gracie

by Sweep_the_Leg on May 22, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

by jbrocato on May 23, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't know anyone under 75 still kept score at a MLB game

There is this invention called the internet…

by Olentangy on May 22, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sometimes its just fun to do

i might do it on a boring afternoon with a boring game on but probably not at the stadium though

by wildthang on May 22, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still usually keep score at the ballpark

for the same reason I still usually, say, bake cookies rather than picking up a package of Archways.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 22, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

While reading this

I almost found myself being there and hearing this and that is, in fact, very annoying so I don’t blame you at all for your frustration.

by I need more Esteban on May 22, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

damn

supposed to be a reply to stuckinstl’s horrific tale

by I need more Esteban on May 22, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gimme Springfield

As a resident of Springfield, I am subjected to 20 racks of Cardinals clothes vs. (maybe) 1 rack of Royals gear…"the best fans in baseball " snickering about the Royals being a great AAA team and the order of every local sportscast goes something like this: St. Louis Cardinals, Springfield Cardinals, local colleges, local high schools and, oh by the way, Royals beat the Tigers 4-1 today (no highlights). For the love of Mike Sweeney, I can’t take living in exile any longer.

Dayton Moore, come liberate the Ozarks!

"If a tie is like kissing your sister, then losing is like kissing your grandmother with her teeth out." -- George Brett

by u l washington's toothpick on May 22, 2009 4:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

go to school at msu and..

agree that springfield sucks with sports coverage.

by Snakeman on May 22, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm in Branson

and that is all I freekin’ hear. It seriously gets old. The thing is, at least around here, is that Cardinals fans claim to be “baseball fans” yet can hardly name 1 player on any other team. They don’t know jack about baseball!

Mike Jacobs you're 2009 AL MVP

by eboston on May 22, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Retardinals

I hereby resign from this post.

by Home Run Tony Cogan on May 22, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

GET A BRAIN MORANS!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aaron Miles fan

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cardinals fans this weekend

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 22, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 22, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Good god Jim Edmonds looks juiced up right there

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 22, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 22, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Re: "Get a Brain!" That one NEVER gets old!

I do have to say that it’s a shame that he managed to spell “Brain” correctly. It could be even funnier if it said “Get a Brian! Morans”!

Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals! Except the weasel! - Homer Simpson

by aHorseWithNoName on May 22, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so Rec'd right there

priceless

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on May 22, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why couldn't the Cardinal cross the road?

He was so retarded he died.

Other exciting and hilarious answers to the above question will be greatly appreciated

let’s see how many answers to it we can think up…..again….Why couldn’t the Cardinal cross the road? ….hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on May 22, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know if it wasn't for the adjective "freestanding" ....

The “Arch” is just a sh*tty insufficiently small support beam for the Astrodome.

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on May 22, 2009 4:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Fail

I hereby resign from this post.

by Home Run Tony Cogan on May 22, 2009 4:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dale Murphy shamed?

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on May 22, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Has anyone ever gone to Busch for the I-70 Series (post '85)...

dressed as an umpire with the number 11 on the shirt and “Denkinger” nameplate on the back (just for good measure)? I would REALLY want to try this if I were going this weekend. Ideally, you could have a buddy come with you dressed in an Orta jersey, and you could both just walk around the stadium with the “Denkinger” guy randomly giving a safe signal toward the “Orta” guy.

Screw it. Maybe I’ll try it for the return series here.

"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae

"I was doing this when BJ was in his father's nutsack." -Renzo Gracie

by Sweep_the_Leg on May 22, 2009 4:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That would be awesome.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on May 22, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you have an Orta jersey?

"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae

"I was doing this when BJ was in his father's nutsack." -Renzo Gracie

by Sweep_the_Leg on May 22, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention we out class them in racial sensitivity

Cardinals fan:

Cubs fan:

Now we celebrate diversity in Kansas City:

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on May 22, 2009 5:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hurray for Racial Sensitivity

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on May 22, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm off to buy an IMO's pizza to burn in effigy.

IMO’s is good if you like pizza that tastes like velveeta and tomato sauce on a cracker.

by Olentangy on May 22, 2009 6:05 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd for the burning of IMOs

I hate that pizza

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on May 22, 2009 6:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yay! Hiram Gets

To bat!

C. Crisp cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .245
A. Callaspo 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
M. Teahen 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .279
J. Guillen rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .299
M. Jacobs 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .261
J. Buck c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .230
D. DeJesus lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .240
M. Aviles ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .191
K. Davies p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
Totals

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on May 22, 2009 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by philofthenorth on May 22, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's goooooooooooo ROYALS

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on May 22, 2009 7:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

damn, detroit winning AGAIN

sucks butler has to sit, considering he’s our best hitter right now. Oh well, when Larussa brings in the lefty to face jacobs, he better be ready to go.

realistically speaking

by slayor on May 22, 2009 7:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs